When I amicably left Techvibes before Christmas, my thought on the job search was to find something non-tech. My last three jobs since finishing school, while quite different, all involved essentially the same thing: sitting in front of a screen and keyboard all day. Feeling quite jaded by this lifestyle, I thought that I owed it to myself to go for a non-tech job for a while.
However, after a month of job searching with low standards, it seems clear that the world deems me unacceptable for anything except the manipulation of packets and pixels. Of course, we’re at just the beginning of the boomer-generated “crisis” of “global economic uncertainty” (another post in itself, soon) and most businesses are still panicking, never mind hiring. Economic adjustments are fine and dandy, but I have rent and debts to pay. So, I’m abandoning the previous plan for a non-tech job, and writing this blog post to advertise my situation to the Internets.
A quick overview of my background: formally educated as a web developer/QA/systems analyst/project manager, I also write well. Working for Techvibes, I wrote blog posts of local tech news in addition to being the prime technical contact for site and support issues. Working with a lead developer, we rewrote and redesigned the site from scratch and migrated it from Windows Server to a LAMP stack. I was tasked with doing social media marketing for Techvibes including Facebook advertising and setting up a Twitter account.
Previous to moving to Vancouver in Spring 2007, I worked in the IT Dept of PCL Constructors, one of North America’s Top Ten building contractors. My team supported internal construction estimating software, and my job was to produce documentation, deal with support issues, make fixes to the app, and generate new report templates as needed by the district offices.
I’ve been blogging since before it was a word, and socially sharing media online since before there were consultants for such a thing.
Other interesting jobs I’ve had in the past include working as a Page in the Legislative Assembly of Alberta, supervising 14 individuals and supporting the day to day logistics of the House, and working at Old Navy’s busiest Canadian location (West Edmonton Mall) doing everything from cash to stock to on-floor customer service.
So, in conclusion, I’m quite smart, adaptable, agile, and willing to work for modest income. Not just tech stuff either, I’m open to anything that’s less than 85% soul crushing; I can lift heavy boxes, answer phones, or interact with tourists. What can I do for YOU?
If you’d like to see my resume or chat, drop an email to gregandrews at gmail. Thanks for reading and DEAR GODS PLEASE I NEED A JOB, I DON’T WANT TO GO BACK TO EDMONTON.
Greg, I am hopeful that this public disclosure will lead to many opportunities in short order.
If you’re thinking of hiring Greg, take note: Due to his age and qualifications, by hiring him your are eligible for an IRAP credit for half his salary up to $15, 000. So not only will he work “for a modest income,” but you can have it subsidized b/c he’s under 30.
An employee that comes with a cash-back offer seems like a damn good deal to me.
You sound awesome: smart, capable, agile (as you say) until:
“and willing to work for modest income” (and even then, you still sound capable, etc.)
Why not just leave this bit, and what follows, off your post/conversations? It’s like you lose your nerve and start… screaming. Have teh faith. Modest income will always find you; no need to go looking for it.
I agree with Malcomn but I add take the word “quite” out before smart. You were a coded gifted student. Stop after willing to work – that in itself is a rarity these days. Good luck!
Good luck. A pleasant write up.
You could go work on a crab fishing boat and maybe even be on the Discovery Channel! In all honesty, I can relate to this post. I am still in the tech industry, but I am slowly shifting my focus to a marketing/management position of sorts. Have you thought about real estate? Last time I checked the course is not that lengthy (I could be mistaken) and it brings about a dynamic, lucrative career.
Also, does it look like I read the dates on these posts? No. My bad. You probably already worked on a crab fishing boat and own your own real estate firm. I am swift.
Greg,
Good write up, I was at the launch party last night as well. Send me an email, I’d like to see if there’s any opportunities.
Cheers,
Any update? It has been a year!
Stephan
How do you d it, gregeh.com?
http://lowzerendomorphic.blogspot.com/2010/03/video-wicking-judicatory.html